"Damn," Iblis said as he limped in the snow. A failed hunt had caused him to cut his paw on a sharp rock and a trail of blood followed him where ever he went. The cold didn't help at all and only worsened his mood. He had to hurry now before the demons of hell found his trail. Though he was not within Iromar, the packlands were not far away. This was the fastest way home and with the sky getting darker as a storm approched it was worth the risk. Iblis didn't want to be anywhere near this place, not after what those barbarians did to his mate, but if it meant getting home faster he would do it. Quickening his pace, the older wolf trotted along in the frozen world.

Thanks to the dark clouds above night had come early. The wind howled and fat flakes of snow poured from the heavens. Winter was not done and her wrath was only just beginning. Another curse escaped Iblis' lips as the bitter bite of the wind chilled him to his bones. Having been born to a pack of wolves in a desert land, the males fur had never been the best at keeping out the cold. And with the gash on his paw still throbbing the sitation made for a miserable wolf. But still Iblis trotted on, his thoughts on his family waiting for him in their hidden den. They were his life now and nothing would stop him from reaching them. Iromar had tried not to long ago to drive Iblis and Rhae apart, but the torture they bared had only made their bond grow strong. Even when they had beaten and barred Iblis from seeing the birth of his young, Iblis had felt his love for Rhae hold fast and true. His heart thundered in his chest at the thought of her and he head was held a little higher at the thought of his children.

Cae and Gaia. They had been born in a world of pain and sorrow but now lived in peace and comfort with their parents in the Free Lands. True, they may not be in the safest place, but they were strong and healthy. Without a pack the chances of their servival was lesser than most, but with Iblis as their father they were safe in knowing that he would fight til his last breath for them. In the back of his mind, Iblis had a fear that this may come true one day. Another gust of wind pushed the thoughts from his mind as he was forced to focus on the hear and now. His paw hurt terribly and it took all Iblis had not to lift it out of the snow and carry it. To do such would mean death. Intead, Iblis grunted and walked as normally as he could while the storm raged on around him.